MALAYSIA ACCEDES TO THE ROME STATUTE

OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

 

On 15 February 2019, His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong XVI Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah was informed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the decision of the Cabinet for Malaysia to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Prime Minister had previously written to His Majesty acting Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on 26 December 2018, informing the latter of the Cabinet’s decision on the matter.

 

The ICC was established in 2002 and is governed by the Rome Statute. The ICC is the first permanent, treaty-based, international criminal court, with the objective to end impunity against the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression.

 

As a responsible member of the international community, Malaysia stands firm by its belief in the rule of law and acknowledges ICC’s complimentary role to existing domestic laws. Malaysia’s accession to the Rome Statute reflects its commitment in combating international crimes for global peace and security.

 

Following the decision of the Cabinet during its meeting on 12 December 2018, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah signed the Instrument of Accession to the Rome Statute of ICC on 4 March 2019. The instrument was deposited to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the same day.

 

Malaysia stands ready to work together with all State Parties in upholding the principles of truth, human rights, rule of law, fairness and accountability.

 

PUTRAJAYA

 

4 March 2019